St Mary’s University Application 2018/19

St Mary’s University Application 2018/19

Application Process

As a reference, we’ve put together a list of some of the key terms and phrases that are likely to come up during your application process.

It may sound obvious, but rule one of the university application process is ‘if in doubt ask!’ The education process is ever changing – careers advisors, tutors and higher education staff have a tough enough time keeping track of changes and reforms as it is – so we do understand how a sudden influx of information can be overwhelming.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)

The central organisation for processing higher education applications in the UK. Universities and colleges in the UK are members of UCAS which means students have to apply for undergraduate degrees through UCAS.

Applicants submit a single application via the UCAS website with a list of up to five courses for which they are applying. Choices are not listed in preference order. All five choices are confidential during the application process so universities and colleges considering an application cannot see any of the candidate’s other choices.

Applications must be completed by the middle of the January of the year that the student wishes to start university. However schools and colleges set their own timescales so that references can be written and applications sent off as early as possible. This means that students need to have their draft application completed by late October. It is always worth asking with your son or daughter’s school or college to check what deadlines they are setting. All UCAS applications are now made online and are often completed through a series of workshops timetabled into the summer term of year 12 and the autumn term of year 13.

UCAS Extra

If a student applies to UCAS for a place in Higher Education and finds themselves without the offer of a place, UCAS Extra enables them to have an additional choice through UCAS. This means students do not have to wait until ‘clearing’ to continue to find a place. This procedure operates from late February to June for universities with vacancies. Universities have a short time to consider the application and will either make an offer or reject the application. If a student is rejected they can continue to make applications (a maximum of 3) until June.